Western Reef Heron

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West Isl., Cocos (Keeling) Islands IMG_0741a 20140909 - grey morph

Notes: Exhibiting the phenotypic features of the species, the birds here are likely hybrids.
Cf Pacific Reef Heron: appears lean & tall, not stocky & short w. longer body; longer
fine neck; longer, thinner legs, yellow less extensive; longer, thin bill w. slightly
down-curved upper mandible, not thick & 'swollen'. See: Dark egrets can be white....

Range from Pizzey & Knight^©(modified)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands IMG_5383 20140909 - white morph: long thin legs, long thin bill. CLICK for a second view.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands IMG_5382 20140909 - same white morph showing long slim neck.

West Isl, Cocos Isls IMG_0756 20190215 - light morph.

West Isl, Cocos Isls IMG_0741b 20190215 - dark morph

West Isl, Cocos Isls IMG_0753 20190215 - dark morph. CLICK for a second view.

West Isl, Cocos Isls IMG_9331 20190209 - weird hybrid of Western Reef Egret & something else.

West Isl, Cocos Isls IMG_9757 20190211 - weird grey morph: Western Reef Egret nape plumes & Eastern Reef Egret short legs.

West Isl, Cocos Isls MVI_0723 20190215 - white & grey morphs fishing w. Nankeen Night-Herons.